Delaware — Delaware is taking a closer look at how it licenses attorneys. The state Supreme Court has approved the formation of a task force to evaluate alternatives to the traditional Bar Exam, a move aimed at expanding access to the legal profession and improving diversity. The group will be led by Justice Gary F. Traynor and include a cross-section of the legal community, such as practicing attorneys, legal aid organizations, and law schools.
The initiative supports a strategic objective outlined by the Judicial Branch in 2022. The task force is expected to deliver its report and recommendations to the Chief Justice by June 15, 2026, with possible extensions. One potential model under review is New Hampshire’s Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program, which allows law students to gain bar admission through a structured two-year apprenticeship instead of the standard exam. That program, launched in 2005, has been shown to produce graduates who outperform recent peers in client-readiness.
Delaware’s group will also explore approaches used in other states, such as diploma privilege, curriculum-based licensing, and formal apprenticeships under practicing attorneys. They will consider potential partnerships with Widener University Delaware Law School and Wilmington University Law School. External support will come from the National Center for State Courts, the AccessLex Institute, and the Delaware Supreme Court’s own staff attorneys. The task force will also weigh whether the program should be limited to students committed to public service careers.
